Squamish鈥檚 trail king got the job done again at the 麻豆社国产50 mile race on Saturday (Aug. 22).
Nick Elson used his local knowledge to win his second straight 麻豆社国产50-mile race, completing the course in 7:31:55. He beat out second-place runner Mike Foote of Montana by almost 27 minutes.
Elson said he was battling with four other racers for the first half of the race but knew exactly when to make his move.
鈥淚 got a little bit ahead on the big climb up Galactic Scheisse,鈥� he said at the finish line. 鈥淚 was feeling pretty good at that point and didn鈥檛 intend to make a big move or anything, but I was running at my own pace and managed to open up a gap.鈥�
He said he felt a lot better than last year and noted that only the last 10 kilometres were a bit of a struggle. Elson said his knowledge of the local trails helped in the victory.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely an advantage,鈥� he said, of racing in his backyard. 鈥淎 lot of the trails here are rooty, rocky and steep. Dealing with all that has helped develop that skill for me.鈥�
Foote said Elson earned the win.
鈥淣ick Elson is really incredible and deserved that win,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f he鈥檚 able to run more races in North America, I think he鈥檇 do well. It was such an impressive performance from him.鈥�
Foote said the 麻豆社国产trails and the 麻豆社国产50 course are remarkable.
鈥淚 loved the technical aspect of the trails out here,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e always turning, you鈥檙e never going in a straight line. It鈥檚 just a hard course. I thought I was going to go downhill at some point but there is just so much uphill.鈥�
Maple Ridge鈥檚 Mike Murphy placed third (8:06:27), Christopher Jones (8:20:51) was fourth and Colin Miller of North Vancouver (8:28:27) was fourth.
Colorado鈥檚 Cassie Scallon placed first in the women鈥檚 division and improved after last year鈥檚 third-place finish.
鈥淚 definitely had some unfinished business this year,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was between ankle surgeries at the time but it feels much better now.鈥�
She said the course and conditions were a lot different than last year.
鈥淚t almost felt like a different race,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he course is so different and it was so sunny and dry this year compared to last.鈥�
Her time of 8:37:31 was nearly 45 minutes up on second-place finisher Catrin Jones of Victoria. Scallon said she battled with a group of women for much of the race.
鈥淚 was really pushed by the other women,鈥� she said. 鈥淐atrin is an uphill phenom, but I was able to go downhill a little faster and built a bit of a gap.鈥�
The event drew a total of 191 participants, with runners hitting the trails at 5:30 a.m. starting at Nexen Beach.
For complete results from the event, visit www.racesplitter.com/races/83234F16A.
